big idea

Animism

everything in nature possesses a living spirit or soul. Animals plants rivers mountains and even objects may be spiritually alive.

Polytheism

reality includes many gods, each possessing different powers, responsibilities, or domains.

Collectivism

the needs of the group or society take priority over the desires and interests of the individual.

Holism

reality is best understood as an interconnected whole. individual parts gain meaning through their relationship to the larger system.

Theism

one or more gods actively exist and participate in the universe and human affairs

Monotheism

There is one God who is the ultimate source and ruler of reality

Christianity

monotheistic religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus christ, emphasizing faith, love, redemption forgiveness and the relationship between God and humanity

Mercantilism

national wealth and power grow through controlled trade, accumulation of resources, and the use of colonies

colonialism

powerful nations extend control over other peoples and territories for political, economic, religious or cultural purposes

ethnocentrism

one’s own culture is treated as the standard for judging other cultures, often leading them to be viewed as inferior

Empiricism

knowledge comes primarily through sensory experience, observation and experimentation

Providentialism

God directs human events and history according to a divine purpose or plan

Rationalism

reason is the primary source of knowledge, careful thinking and logical deduction reveal truth more reliably than experience alone.

Deism

god created the universe but doesn’t intervene in its ongoing operation. nature functions according to discoverable laws

Humanism

human dignity, reason, compassion and the pursuit of human flourishing are the foundation of ethical life.

Skepticism

knowledge claims should be questioned carefully, certainty is difficult to achieve, so beliefs should be held with caution until supported by sufficient evidence

Individualism

only individual minds can possess knowledge, groups or societies do not literally know things apart from the individuals within them.

republicanism

government should be based on civic participation representative institutions and the common good rather than hereditary monarchy

Liberalism

individual rights personal freedom equality before the law and limited government are essential to a just society

Capitalism

individuals should be free to own property invest compete and participate in open markets with minimal government interference